Police State USA

[NDRock]

How people actually elect far left loons like this is beyond me. What can't anyone just pick a middle of the road candidate that uses common sense.

Agree. I wonder what a Presidential debate would look like if there was a highly intelligent, successful, middle of the road 3rd party candidate. I feel like they would be a stark contrast (in a good way) compared to the two who will be up there. Still wouldn't have a chance to be elected because too many people would be worried about the other side getting elected if they voted 3rd party. Would be interesting.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Agree. I wonder what a Presidential debate would look like if there was a highly intelligent, successful, middle of the road 3rd party candidate. I feel like they would be a stark contrast (in a good way) compared to the two who will be up there. Still wouldn't have a chance to be elected because too many people would be worried about the other side getting elected if they voted 3rd party. Would be interesting.

I really like Rand Paul. I am mixed on his policy positions but I really respect the guy. Hes not in anyones pocket and has remained consistent to his beliefs/truths.

 

[NDRock]

I really like Rand Paul. I am mixed on his policy positions but I really respect the guy. Hes not in anyones pocket and has remained consistent to his beliefs/truths.

Agree. Was hoping he'd make some traction in 2016 but never really got off the ground.

 

[Circa]

I try to watch all the networks and read all the sites... and form my own opinion. It's important to understand the narratives that people are attempting to sell.

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Shreds of evidence are now presenting themself. Obama was cool. \

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I really respect/look up to General Mattis. His critique of Trump hit home pretty hard. I really, really wish we had a strong and viable candidate for president that we all could rally around.

 

[Henges24]

I really respect/look up to General Mattis. His critique of Trump hit home pretty hard. I really, really wish we had a strong and viable candidate for president that we all could rally around.

Was just thinking about this last night.

I voted for Trump in '16. He has really irritated me the past year. He had a perfect opportunity to unite the country, whether it been with COVID or these racial divides we have seen in the past week - something Obama or even GWB would have thrived at. Instead he sits back and lets things play out, zero leadership, big headed. Sure the media doesn't help, but let's be honest, he's a terrible People's President.

On the other hand you have a candidate that is mentally unstable to be president. Sure you could argue that he could be president today but what about 4 years down the road? No chance in hell. I don't know what the Dems were thinking.

So torn for November. I'm very center with a right lean. It will probably come down to who Biden chooses as his running mate - but even that is pushing it.

 

[Irish YJ]

I really respect/look up to General Mattis. His critique of Trump hit home pretty hard. I really, really wish we had a strong and viable candidate for president that we all could rally around.

I like several things about Mattis, but he's a hawk/interventionist, which I don't like. He talks out both sides of him mouth on Iran and a few other topics. Overall, war is his business, and that's what he knows... so being a hawk is part of the territory I guess.

As far as the Insurrection Act topic goes, I'm guessing he didn't know it's be used 20 times by 11 different presidents. 4 times by LBJ which included DC. Twice by GHWB which one of them was due to the LA riots.

The issue now is a big nothing burger. The states should use the guard like ATL did, which worked extremely well, and was called for by a very liberal Mayor. And nobody in ATL is screaming about it. A matter of fact, the Mayor and the Police Chief walked with protesters today. All good in the dirty South.... I'm actually very surprised, and very impressed by both the Mayor, and by the way the city/people responded. Only 6 arrests today.

 

[NorthDakota]

I like several things about Mattis, but he's a hawk/interventionist, which I don't like. He talks out both sides of him mouth on Iran and a few other topics. Overall, war is his business, and that's what he knows... so being a hawk is part of the territory I guess.

As far as the Insurrection Act topic goes, I'm guessing he didn't know it's be used 20 times by 11 different presidents. 4 times by LBJ which included DC. Twice by GHWB which one of them was due to the LA riots.

The issue now is a big nothing burger. The states should use the guard like ATL did, which worked extremely well, and was called for by a very liberal Mayor. And nobody in ATL is screaming about it. A matter of fact, the Mayor and the Police Chief walked with protesters today. All good in the dirty South.... I'm actually very surprised, and very impressed by both the Mayor, and by the way the city/people responded. Only 6 arrests today.

My opinion on Mattis is meh at best. I don't care about him. The US military has a ton of generals. Some are good, some are politicians... the latter is the bigger group by far.

What's ironic about Mattis, is that he resigned to protest some Kurdish genocide that never happened. Further, he is making his anti-Don "unity" claims at precisely the time it's specifically important to not rock the boat.

This leads me to believe he probably falls under the political branch of generals rather than a good one. Sad to see a guy with such a good reputation get his ass fired by two polar opposite presidents lolololol

 

[Irish YJ]

My opinion on Mattis is meh at best. I don't care about him. The US military has a ton of generals. Some are good, some are politicians... the latter is the bigger group by far.

What's ironic about Mattis, is that he resigned to protest some Kurdish genocide that never happened. Further, he is making his anti-Don "unity" claims at precisely the time it's specifically important to not rock the boat.

This leads me to believe he probably falls under the political branch of generals rather than a good one. Sad to see a guy with such a good reputation get his ass fired by two polar opposite presidents lolololol

Oh he's absolutely on the political side of things. He was never in combat himself, and was considered an "intellectual" military guy. How he enlisted in the reserves in the late 60s and didn't get a ticket to Nam is a head scratcher. Not saying any of that is bad, but it's not like he's some soldier god beyond reproach. I appreciate his service, but most upper generals are politicians. And those that are politicians and weren't in combat, are down a few pegs for me.

 

[Irish#1]

Very counterproductive. Study after study have shown that when incidents like this happen and cities scale back the police presence in minority and poor neighborhoods, the crime rate in those neighborhoods soars... at the expense of the law-abiding majority of people who live in them. This is what happens when you make policy decisions based on emotions and who screams the loudest.

Yup, this was discussed a few days ago. Whenever something like this happens, policing is reduced, and violence/crime rises in communities post incident. It's circular....

And guess who will get blamed? lol

 

[Irishize]

I really respect/look up to General Mattis. His critique of Trump hit home pretty hard. I really, really wish we had a strong and viable candidate for president that we all could rally around.

Agreed on both counts. This country has had a leadership vacuum for some time.

 

[TorontoGold]

Agreed & I didn’t read it as a screed against BLM it was more towards the nanny state & the media scolding Americans for gatherings. And the bolded was my ironic point (Sarcasm wasn’t directed at you). We were scolded for weeks now about going out & we see what’s happened the past week. Honest question: do you really believe that every protester is going to self-isolate? Those large gatherings (just like Lake of the Ozarks or the Spring Break kids) are probably more dangerous b/c of the sheer volume of people infecting each other.

Yeah, I have a really tough time going back and forth on whether we're (North American's) too stupid to look out for each other, or that we can get along fine without the government. For example, if you ever want historical levels of incompetence look at the Toronto mayors. We had a crack smoking fool.

I don't think every protester is going to self isolate, I do see a lot more masks being used than the lockdown protests. However, you're certainly right that sheer volume of people negates the self isolation/mask factor IMO. Thing is, there's never really a good time to protest something. The ruling/political class is never going to "oh, you want us to give up power? lol ok". Which is why you get stuck with dolts like Pelosi and Jim Jordan.

 

[Irishize]

Was just thinking about this last night.

I voted for Trump in '16. He has really irritated me the past year. He had a perfect opportunity to unite the country, whether it been with COVID or these racial divides we have seen in the past week - something Obama or even GWB would have thrived at. Instead he sits back and lets things play out, zero leadership, big headed. Sure the media doesn't help, but let's be honest, he's a terrible People's President.

On the other hand you have a candidate that is mentally unstable to be president. Sure you could argue that he could be president today but what about 4 years down the road? No chance in hell. I don't know what the Dems were thinking.

So torn for November. I'm very center with a right lean. It will probably come down to who Biden chooses as his running mate - but even that is pushing it.

Just my guess, but I think your views represent a giant swath of America. The media prefers “black & white”...if one voted for Trump they are MAGA; if they voted for Hillary they are polar opposite. I don’t think that’s true of the populace. There’s a lot of grey amongst the black & white reasons for voting.

Most of my friends & family who voted for Trump did it for two reasons...SCOTUS & their utter disdain for Hillary. They also figured it was more of a protest vote b/c they assumed Hillary would win in a landslide.

And to be fair, I suspect there were voters who held their nose & voted for Hillary b/c of their disdain for Trump. It goes both ways & that’s what sucks...always choosing between eating shit or vomit.

 

[Irishize]

Yeah, I have a really tough time going back and forth on whether we're (North American's) too stupid to look out for each other, or that we can get along fine without the government. For example, if you ever want historical levels of incompetence look at the Toronto mayors. We had a crack smoking fool.

I don't think every protester is going to self isolate, I do see a lot more masks being used than the lockdown protests. However, you're certainly right that sheer volume of people negates the self isolation/mask factor IMO. Thing is, there's never really a good time to protest something. The ruling/political class is never going to "oh, you want us to give up power? lol ok". Which is why you get stuck with dolts like Pelosi and Jim Jordan.

Yup. I don’t know whether to be saddened or envious that you’re probably more enlightened than most of my fellow Americans when it comes to our national politics. I say envious b/c I do know & respect folks who tune out b/c they realize they can’t worry about things (at a national level) they can’t control so they focus locally. As Tip O’Neill (or some windbag) said “All politics are local”.

 

[Irishize]

Oh he's absolutely on the political side of things. He was never in combat himself, and was considered an "intellectual" military guy. How he enlisted in the reserves in the late 60s and didn't get a ticket to Nam is a head scratcher. Not saying any of that is bad, but it's not like he's some soldier god beyond reproach. I appreciate his service, but most upper generals are politicians. And those that are politicians and weren't in combat, are down a few pegs for me.

So he’s more Eisenhower than Patton. I leave Omar Bradley out of the mix b/c he seemed a nice mixture of combat & politics. Interesting stuff. My nephew raves about Mattis’ most recent book. Maybe I’ll check it out.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

So he’s more Eisenhower than Patton. I leave Omar Bradley out of the mix b/c he seemed a nice mixture of combat & politics. Interesting stuff. My nephew raves about Mattis’ most recent book. Maybe I’ll check it out.

Call Sign Chaos? Im like halfway through. Its a phenomenal read

 

[TorontoGold]

Yup. I don’t know whether to be saddened or envious that you’re probably more enlightened than most of my fellow Americans when it comes to our national politics. I say envious b/c I do know & respect folks who tune out b/c they realize they can’t worry about things (at a national level) they can’t control so they focus locally. As Tip O’Neill (or some windbag) said “All politics are local”.

If you truly want to be saddened (maybe pity is the right word?) ask a random Canadian about how our Senate works. They'll have next to no clue, trust me anytime you're depressed American's don't know how their government works a Canadian will know even less.

Yup, I feel like representation is a lot better for local American's than in Canada. If you don't live in a big city in Canada you really don't matter to a politician. Last point on this, I love the ability to vote for you President separately from your other choices. We wouldn't have Mr. Black Face if that was the case.

 

[NorthDakota]

Oh he's absolutely on the political side of things. He was never in combat himself, and was considered an "intellectual" military guy. How he enlisted in the reserves in the late 60s and didn't get a ticket to Nam is a head scratcher. Not saying any of that is bad, but it's not like he's some soldier god beyond reproach. I appreciate his service, but most upper generals are politicians. And those that are politicians and weren't in combat, are down a few pegs for me.

I dont think there is anything suspicious about what he did. He did ROTC. Seems like a logical path for someone who wants to serve but doesnt want to be on the enlisted side. Most officers in the military didnt go the academy route.

 

[Legacy]

I am reminded of Father Hesburgh's work on the Civil Rights Commission which began in 1957, had hearings through the South, and resulted in bipartisan recommendations. The Commission under Hesburgh resulted in the Omnibus Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most comprehensive civil rights legislation ever enacted by Congress. It contained extensive measures to dismantle Jim Crow segregation and combat racial discrimination. The Act also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to ensure fair hiring practices,

That was followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed barriers to black enfranchisement in the South, banning poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures that effectively prevented African Americans from voting. Then the Civil Rights Act of 1968 included the Fair Housing Act banning housing discrimination. That was signed into law during the King assassination riots. Title I under that Act permits federal prosecution of anyone who "willingly injures, intimidates or interferes with another person, or attempts to do so, by force because of the other person's race, color, religion or national origin".

Hesburgh attributed some progress towards equal rights to protests, but "the clincher" was the power of law. He said in God, Country and Notre Dame:

The most important factor, however, was the sense of fairness of the American people. Given the facts, they were ready to get rid of apartheid in the United States.

https://hesburgh.nd.edu/fr-teds-life/champion-of-civil-rights/civil-rights-commission/

 

[drayer54]

Was just thinking about this last night.

I voted for Trump in '16. He has really irritated me the past year. He had a perfect opportunity to unite the country, whether it been with COVID or these racial divides we have seen in the past week - something Obama or even GWB would have thrived at. Instead, he sits back and lets things play out, zero leadership, big headed. Sure the media doesn't help, but let's be honest, he's a terrible People's President.

On the other hand you have a candidate that is mentally unstable to be president. Sure you could argue that he could be president today but what about 4 years down the road? No chance in hell. I don't know what the Dems were thinking.

So torn for November. I'm very center with a right lean. It will probably come down to who Biden chooses as his running mate - but even that is pushing it.

Trump lacks empathy. He's not going to give a speech that makes you feel warm and American. He's going to do Trump things. His COVID response wasn't amazing, but I do think it was good. I think he worked with the Governors and listened to the experts he had. I wouldn't want the lock it down until we have a vaccine approach that we saw by the blue leaders and I don't think the Dems are capable of getting tough on China.

I don't think Trump knew what to do with the Floyd thing. I think he took the strategy of lay-low and dodge bullets and let it play out and never expected it to blow up as it did. I can't imagine a D who supports the nonsense in office. Getting tough and using the military was a good call, IMHO. There is precedent for it. We can't have our streets turn into utter chaos and lawlessness.

Joe has been in the basement hiding and has offered nothing on either issue. This somehow may have buried his You Ain't Black moment, but it's not like they're selling anything good. I wouldn't want the defund the police, disarm the public, let them riot crowd in charge of anything. I'm voting Red with no hesitation.

 

[Irish#1]

Yeah, I have a really tough time going back and forth on whether we're (North American's) too stupid to look out for each other, or that we can get along fine without the government. For example, if you ever want historical levels of incompetence look at the Toronto mayors. We had a crack smoking fool.

You don't remember Marion Berry?

 

[ACamp1900]

I’m sure we can all agree that Canada fucking sucks,... I mean hockey is really cool I guess,... now back to the topic at hand.

 

[ARALOU]

Oh he's absolutely on the political side of things. He was never in combat himself, and was considered an "intellectual" military guy. How he enlisted in the reserves in the late 60s and didn't get a ticket to Nam is a head scratcher. Not saying any of that is bad, but it's not like he's some soldier god beyond reproach. I appreciate his service, but most upper generals are politicians. And those that are politicians and weren't in combat, are down a few pegs for me.

If you enlisted in the reserve during Vietnam chances are you either knew someone, had just dropped out of college, or may have been still in college. Trust me, I recall many going into the reserve under those scenario and not seeing combat duties in Nam.

 

[Irishize]

This is best suited for our attorneys on the board but should be of interest to all. Everyone agrees Officer Chauvin needs to be jailed if/when found guilty of the death of Floyd.

So why do AGs &/or prosecutors give into PR and “overcharge” the obviously guilty officer? Keith Ellison, AG of MN; proudly announced that he had upgraded Chauvin’s charge from 3rd degree murder to 2nd degree murder.. That was well received from the Twitterati and the lay person who thinks “Hell yeah...why wouldn’t they?”

This is the part where I want the attorney’s input. 2nd degree murder is a lot tougher to prove than 3rd degree. They better know the entire story or it won’t be enough to convict Chauvin (due to a higher standard) if there’s reasonable doubt. And that could lead to acquittal which will undoubtedly lead to chaos all b/c of a PR stunt vs throwing the killer in jail on charges that you have plenty of evidence to convict on w/ 3rd degree murder.

We’ve only seen video so I realize there could be other damning evidence. But based on the video, is it really a slam dunk 100% that Chauvin knowingly murdered Floyd when he had his knee on back of his neck? Will a jury agree that he was intent on murdering Floyd in that moment which is required by 2nd degree? 3rd degree murder looks like a certainty and that ensures Chauvin goes to jail for murder. But could they hurt their chances by “overcharging” Chauvin?

I hope not but wanted to see what y’all thought. I know this may not have been written in a clear manner so PLEASE don’t jump to conclusions based on emotion and say “ARE YOU SAYING HE DIDN”T MURDER FLOYD?!?!?!”

No....I”m asking is the AG “outkicking his coverage” by raising the charge to 2nd degree murder when he has him dead to rights for 3rd degree murder.

Sorry for the rambling..

 

[ab2cmiller]

Given Ellison's apparent support of Antifa, is Ellison overcharging intentionally, figuring he will win either way? Either he gets murder 2 or the cop is found not guilty and the real rioting begins.

 

[Circa]

Anyone else find It ironic that the Kapernick thing was about kneeling and the protests started by kneeling on a mans neck?
It's beyond conspiracy at this time.

 

[Irish YJ]

So he’s more Eisenhower than Patton. I leave Omar Bradley out of the mix b/c he seemed a nice mixture of combat & politics. Interesting stuff. My nephew raves about Mattis’ most recent book. Maybe I’ll check it out.

Eisenhower actually requested combat twice (WW1) IIRC. I actually liked him a politician too, which is rare. He was a pretty moderate conservative.

I dont think there is anything suspicious about what he did. He did ROTC. Seems like a logical path for someone who wants to serve but doesnt want to be on the enlisted side. Most officers in the military didnt go the academy route.

Not saying it was suspicious at all. I just looked at timing, and he didn't graduate till 71, which was close to the time we started pulling ground troops out and ramping down. He would have been pretty much exempt in college from 68-71 anyway.

I’m sure we can all agree that Canada fucking sucks,... I mean hockey is really cool I guess,... now back to the topic at hand.

I like some of the music, and the fishing is good.

If you enlisted in the reserve during Vietnam chances are you either knew someone, had just dropped out of college, or may have been still in college. Trust me, I recall many going into the reserve under those scenario and not seeing combat duties in Nam.

Yup. But he was in college, stayed in college, and in good standing. Risk would have been low for him regardless of him joining or not.

Given Ellison's apparent support of Antifa, is Ellison overcharging intentionally, figuring he will win either way? Either he gets murder 2 or the cop is found not guilty and the real rioting begins.

A buddy of mine said the exact same thing lol. I'm warming up more an more to M2 though (in terms of ability to win)

 

[ACamp1900]

YJ is a Alanis Morissette groupie confirmed,....

 

[drayer54]

This is best suited for our attorneys on the board but should be of interest to all. Everyone agrees Officer Chauvin needs to be jailed if/when found guilty of the death of Floyd.

I'm not convinced he gets convicted.

Cops have done worse and walked. This technique also seems to be frequently used by cops and they'll argue he was following his training. Some of those cops with him were fresh rookies. I'll wager that the verdict disappoints people.

 

[Irish YJ]

YJ is a Alanis Morissette groupie confirmed,....

Isn't it Ironic?